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Technical Application Papers 6 Protection against overcurrents and overvoltages When defining the layout of a photovoltaic plant it is The short-circuit current Isc3 = y . 1.25 . Isc coincides with the necessary to provide, where needed, for the protection service current of the circuit between the subfield switch-6 Protection against overcurrents and overvoltages of the different sections of the plant against overcurrents board and inverter, whereas the current Isc4 = (x-y) . 1.25 . Isc and overvoltages of atmospheric origin. is higher than the service current if x-y > y ⇒ x > 2y. Here are given, firstly, the conditions for the protection In this case it is necessary to protect the cable against against overcurrents in the PV plant on the supply (DC short-circuit if its current carrying capacity is lower than side) and on the load side of the inverter (AC side), then Isc4, that is Iz<(x-y).1.25.Isc. the methods for the protection of the plant against any Figure 6.1 damage caused by possible direct or indirect fulmina- “A” represents the protective device in the subfield switchboard for the pro- tion1. tection of the “cable 1” connecting the string to the switchboard itself. “B” represents the protection device installed in the inverter switchboard to protect the “cable 2” for the connection between the inverter and the subfield switchboard. “y” number of strings connected to the same subfield switchboard. 6.1 Protection against overcurrents on DC side “x” total number of strings connected to the same inverter. 6.1.1 Cable protections String + Cable 1 Subfield – switchboard From the point of view of the protection against over- A loads, it is not necessary to protect the cables (CEI 64- 8/7) if they are chosen with a current carrying capacity not lower than the maximum current which might affect Cable 2 + them (1.25 Isc)2. y – As regards the short-circuit, the cables on the DC side Isc3 are affected by such overcurrent in case of: Fault 1 • fault between the polarity of the PV system; Fault 2 • fault to earth in the earthed systems; Isc1 Isc2 • double fault to earth in the earth-insulated systems. Isc4 A short-circuit on a cable for the connection string to Subfield subfield switchboard (fault 1 of Figure 6.1) is supplied switchboard simultaneously upstream of the load side by the string under consideration (Isc1 = 1.25 . Isc) and downstream by parallel point with the grid the other x-1 strings connected to the same inverter (Isc2 – B + + = (x-1) . 1.25 . Isc). x – + – If the PV plant is small-sized with two strings only (x=2), it results that Isc2 = 1.25 . Isc = Isc1 and therefore it is not Inverter switchboard necessary to protect the string cables against short- circuit. On the contrary, when three or more strings (x≥3) are connected to the inverter, the current Isc2 is higher than the service current and therefore the cables must be pro- tected against the short-circuit when their current carrying capacity is lower than Isc2, that is Iz< (x-1) . 1.25 . Isc . A short-circuit between a subfield switchboard and the inverter switchboard (fault 2 of the Figure 6.1) is supplied upstream by the y strings in parallel of the subfield (Isc3) and downstream by the remaining (x-y) strings relevant + to the same inverter switchboard. – 1 As regards the power factor correction of a user plant in the presence of a PV plant see Annex E of the QT8 “Power factor correction and harmonic filtering in electrical plants”. 2 Isc is the short-circuit current in the module under standard test conditions and the twenty-five per cent rise takes the insolation values exceeding 1kW/m2 (see Chapter 3) into account. 42 Photovoltaic plants

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6.1.2 Protection of the strings against reverse a drop of the direct voltage, the inverter certainly shuts current down and probably is disconnected from the grid. Nor- 6 Protection against overcurrents and overvoltages mally the shut down times of the inverter are of the orderDue to shading or fault a string becomes passive, absorbing of some milliseconds, while the disconnection times mayand dissipating the electric power generated by the other be of the order of some dozens of milliseconds. In thestrings connected in parallel to the same inverter through interval between the shut down and the disconnection,a current which flows through the string under considera- the grid might cause the above mentioned effect, whiletion in a reverse direction with respect to that of standard the internal capacitors, if involved, participate up to theiroperation, with possible damages to the modules. complete discharge.These are able to withstand a reverse current ranging The effects on the short-circuit of both the grid as wellfrom 2.5 and 3 Isc (IEC TS 62257-7-1). Since with x strings as of the internal capacitors are just of transitory nature and usually are not such as to affect the dimensioningin parallel connected to the same inverter the highest of the protective, switching and disconnection devicesreverse current is equal to Iinv = (x-1) . 1.25 . Isc, it is not positioned on the d.c side. However, it is necessary tonecessary to protect the strings if Iinv ≤ 2.5 . Isc that is consider case-by-case the advisability of such choice:(x-1) . 1.25 ≤ 2.5 ⇒ x ≤ 33. in particular, a very high discharge current of the capaci- tors, combined with long time constants, might force to increase the current breaking capacity of the circuit-6.1.3 Behaviour of the inverter breakers.The contribution to the short-circuit on the DC side of theinverter may come from the grid and from the discharge 6.1.4 Choice of the protective devicesof the capacitors inside the inverter. As regards the protection against the short-circuits on theThe grid current is due to the recirculating diodes of the DC side, the devices shall be obviously suitable for DCbridge inverter which in this case act as a bridge recti- use and have a rated service voltage Ue equal or higherfier. Such current is limited by the impedances of the than the maximum voltage of the PV generator which istransformer and of the inductors belonging to the output equal to 1.2 Uoc4 (IEC TS 62257-7-1).circuit and by the protection fuses of the inverter on theAC side chosen so that they can limit the thermal effects Moreover the protection devices shall be positioned atof possible internal faults on the semiconductors. As a the end of the circuit to be protected, proceeding fromconsequence the I2t passing through will be normally the strings towards the inverter, that is in the variousreduced. Indicatively a final current value (internal ca- subfield switchboards and inverter switchboards sincepacitors completely discharged) of 10In can be an upper the short-circuit currents come from the other strings,limit value. This current is present in case of inverter with that is from the load side and not from the supply sidegalvanic insulation at 50Hz, while it is null in case of in- (IEC TS 62257-7-1).verter without transformer. In fact these inverters usuallyhave an input DC/DC converter so that the operation on In order to avoid unwanted tripping under standard opera-a wide voltage range of the PV generator is guaranteed; tion conditions, the protective devices positioned in thethis converter, due to its constructive typology, includes atleast one blocking diode which prevents the contribution subfield switchboards (device A in the Figure 6.1) shallof the grid current to the short-circuit. have a rated current In5:The discharge current of the capacitors is limited by the In ≥ 1.25 . Isc [6.1]cables between inverter and fault and exhausts itself withexponential trend: the lowest the impedance of the cable These devices shall protect:stretch, the highest the initial current, but the lowest the • every single string against the reverse current;time constant of the discharge. The energy which flows • the connection cable6 string to subswitchboard (cableis limited to that one initially stored in the capacitors. 1 of Figure 6.1) if the latter has a current carrying ca-Moreover, if a blocking diode or other similar device is in pacity lower than the maximum short-circuit current ofseries with one of the two poles, this contribution to the the other x-1 strings connected to the same invertershort-circuit is null. switchboard7, i.e. if:In each case, the short-circuit on the DC side causes I < I = (x - 1) . 1.25 . I [6.2] z sc2 sc3 The blocking diodes can be used, but they do not replace the protections against 4 Uoc is the no load voltage coming out of the strings (see Chapter 3).overcurrent (IEC TS 62257-7-1), since it is taken into consideration the possibility thatthe blocking diode does not work properly and is short-circuited. Moreover the diodes 5 For thermomagnetic circuit-breakers the [6.1] becomes Ioverload ≥ 1.25 . Isc, while for mag-introduce a loss of power due to the voltage drop on the junction, a loss which can be netic only circuit-breakers Iu ≥ 1.25 . Isc so that their overheating can be avoided.reduced by using Schottky diodes with 0.4V drop instead of 0.7V of conventional diodes.However the rated reverse voltage of the diodes shall be ≥ 2 Uoc and the rated current ≥ 6 Protection against short-circuit only because Iz ≥ 1.25 . Isc.1.25 Isc (CEI Guide 82-25). 7 The short-circuit Isc1 = 1.25 . Isc (fig. 6.1) (Figure 6.1) is unimportant because the string cable has a current carrying capacity not lower than 1.25 . Isc. Photovoltaic plants 43

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Technical Application Papers To the purpose of protection for the string, the rated 6.2 Protection against overcurrents on AC side current of the protective device (either thermomagnetic6 Protection against overcurrents and overvoltages circuit-breaker or fuse) must not exceed that one declared Since the cable connecting the inverter to the point of by the manufacturer for the panel protection (clause connection with the grid is usually dimensioned to obtain 6.1.2); if no indications are given by the manufacturer, a current carrying capacity higher than the maximum cur- the following is assumed (IEC TS 62257-7-1): rent which the inverter can deliver, a protection against overload is not needed. However the cable must be 1.25 . Isc ≤ In ≤ 2 . Isc [6.3] protected against a short circuit supplied by the grid10 In spite of the simplicity of use of fuses, when sizing and through a protective device positioned near the point of choosing these devices it is necessary to take into account parallel with the grid. that they not only must have a rated current obtained by the relationship [6.3], but that they must have a trip char- To protect such cable the main circuit-breaker of the con- acteristic type gR (i.e. suitable for the protection of circuits sumer plant can be used if the specific let-through energy by means of semiconductors), they must be mounted is withstood by the cable. However, the trip of the main on fuse holders and they must be able to dissipate the circuit-breaker put all the consumer plant out of service. power generated under the worst operating conditions. In the multi-inverter plants (Figure 6.2), the presence of To the purpose of protection for the connection ca- ble, the protective device must be chosen so that the one protection for each line allows, in case of fault on following relation is satisfied for each value of short- an inverter, the functioning of the other ones, provided circuit (IEC 60364)8 up to a maximum of (x-1) . 1.25 . Isc: that the circuit-breakers on each line are selective with the main circuit-breaker. (I2t) ≤ K2 S2 [6.4] where: Figure 6.2 (I2t) is the Joule integral referred to the short-circuit dura- tion (in A2s); K is a characteristic constant of the cable depending on the type of conductor and on the insulating material; S is the cross-sectional area of the cable (in mm2). The breaking capacity of the device must not be lower than the short-circuit current of the other n-1 strings, Point of parallel with that is: the grid Icu ≥ (x-1) . 1.25 . Isc [6.5] The devices in the inverter switchboard must protect against the short-circuit the connection cables subfield switchboard-inverter switchboard when these cables have a current carrying capacity lower than Isc4 = (x-y) . 1.25 . Isc9 (Figure 6.1). In this case these devices shall satisfy the relations [6.1] and [6.4], while their current carrying ca- pacity shall not be lower than the short-circuit current of the other n-m strings, that is: 6.3 Choice of the switching and disconnecting Icu ≥ (x-y) . 1.25 . Isc [6.6] devices In short, the cable for the connection inverter switchboard The installation of a disconnecting device on each string to inverter must not be protected if its current carrying is advisable in order to allow verification or maintenance capacity is chosen at least equal to (CEI 64-8/7): interventions on the string without putting out of service Iz ≥ x . 1.25 . Isc [6.7] other parts of the PV plant (CEI Guide 82-25 II ed.)11. 8 For the magnetic only circuit-breaker it is necessary, if possible, to set the protection 10 The inverter generally limits the output current to a value which is the double of its function at a value equal to the value Iz of the cable in order to determine the tripping of the rated current and goes in stand-by in few tenths of seconds due to the trip of the internal device when the short circuit current exceeds the current carrying capacity of the protected protection. As a consequence, the contribution of the inverter to the short-circuit current cable. Besides, it is possible to use a magnetic only circuit-breaker if the number of strings is negligible in comparison with the contribution of the grid. connected to the same inverter is maximum 3; otherwise for the protection of the string it is necessary to use a thermomagnetic circuit-breaker chosen according to [6.3]. 11 When an automatic circuit-breaker is used the switching and disconnecting function is already included. 9 The short-circuit current Isc3 = y . 1.25 . Isc (Figure 6.1) is unimportant since the string cable has a current carrying capacity not lower than y . 1.25 . Isc. 44 Photovoltaic plants

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The disconnection of the inverter must be possible both Figure 6.3on the DC side as well as on the AC side so that main- 6 Protection against overcurrents and overvoltagestenance is allowed by excluding both the supply sources(grid and PV generator) (CEI 64-8/7).On the DC side of the inverter a disconnecting deviceshall be installed which can be switched under load,such as a switch-disconnector. On the AC side a generaldisconnecting device shall be provided. The protectivedevice installed at the point of connection with the gridcan be used; if this device is not close to the inverter, it isadvisable to position a disconnecting device immediatelyon the load side of the inverter.6.4 Protection against overvoltagesThe PV installations, since they usually are outside the On the contrary, in case the PV installation changesbuildings, may be subject to overvoltages of atmospheric significantly the outline of the building, it is necessaryorigin, both direct (lightning striking the structure) as well to reconsider the frequency of fulminations on it andas indirect (lightning falling near to the structure of the consequently to take into consideration the necessity ofbuilding or affecting the energy or signaling lines entering realizing an LPS (CEI Guide 82-25 II ed.) (Figure 6.4).the structure) through resistive or inductive coupling.The resistive coupling occurs when lightning strikes the Figure 6.4electrical line entering the building. The lightning cur-rent, through the characteristic impedance of the line,originates an overvoltage which may exceed the impulsewithstand voltage of the equipment, with consequentdamaging and fire hazard.The inductive coupling occurs because the lightningcurrent is impulsive and therefore it generates in the sur-rounding space an electromagnetic field highly variable.As a consequence, the variation in the magnetic fieldgenerates some overvoltages induced on the electriccircuits nearby.In addition to the overvoltages of atmospheric origin,the PV plant may be exposed to internal switching ov-ervoltages.6.4.1 Direct lightning6.4.1.1 Building without LPS12Generally, the erection of a PV plant does not change 6.4.1.2 Building with LPSthe outline of a building and therefore the frequency of In case of presence of a protection system against at-the fulminations; therefore no specific measures against mospheric discharges13, if the PV plant does not alterthe risk of fulmination are necessary (CEI Guide 82-25, the outline of the building and if the minimum distance dII ed.) (Figure 6.3). between the PV plant and the LPS plant is higher than the safety distance s (EN 62305-3) other additional measures12 Lightning Protection System: it is constituted by the protective systems both external 13 It is advisable that the protection grounding plant is connected to that for the protec-(detectors, lightning conductors and ground electrodes) as well as internal (protective tion against lightning.measures in order to reduce the electromagnetic effects of the lightning current enteringthe structure to be protected). Photovoltaic plants 45

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Technical Application Papers for the protection of the new plant (CEI Guide 82-25 II Finally, if the PV plant alters the outline of the building a ed.) are not required (Figure 6.5). new risk evaluation and/or a modification of the LPS are6 Protection against overcurrents and overvoltages Figure 6.5 necessary (CEI Guide 82-25, II ed.) (Figure 6.7). Figure 6.7 6.4.1.3 PV plant on the ground If a PV plant is erected on the ground there is no fire risk due to direct fulmination and the only hazard for human beings is represented by the step and touch voltages. On the contrary, if the PV plant does not alter the outline When the surface resistivity exceeds 5 kΩm (e.g. rocky of the building, but the minimum distance d is lower than asphalted ground, at least 5 cm thickness or laid with the distance s it is appropriate to extend the LPS plant gravel for minimum 15 cm), it is not necessary to take and connect it to the metal structures of the PV installa- any particular measure since the touch and step voltage tion (CEI Guide 82-25, II ed.) (Figure 6.6). values are negligible (CEI 81-10). Instead, if the ground resistivity were equal to or lower than 5 kΩm, it would Figure 6.6 be necessary to verify theoretically whether some pro- tective measures against the step and touch voltages are necessary; however, in this case, the probability of lightning strikes is very small and therefore the problem occurs only with very large plants. 6.4.2 Indirect lightning Also in case lightning does not strike directly the structure of the PV plant, it is necessary to take some measures to minimize the overvoltages caused by any likely indirect strike of lightning: • shielding of the circuits in order to reduce the magnetic field inside the enclosure with a consequent reduction of the induced overvoltages14; • reduction of the area of the turn of the induced circuit obtained by connecting suitably the modules one to the other (Figure 6.8), by twisting the conductors together and bringing the live conductor as much as possible near to the PE. 14 The shielding effect of a metal enclosure originates thanks to the currents induced in the enclosure itself; they create a magnetic field which by Lenz’s law opposes the cause generating them, that is the magnetic field of the lightning current; the higher the currents induced in the shield (i.e. the higher its conductance), the better the shielding effect. 46 Photovoltaic plants

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Figure 6.8 6.4.2.1 Protection on DC side 6 Protection against overcurrents and overvoltages For the protection on the DC side it is advisable to use varistors SPDs or combined SPDs. Inverters usually have an internal protection against overvoltages, but if SPDs are added to the inverter ter- minals, its protection is improved and at the same time it is possible to avoid that the tripping of the internal protections put out of service the inverter, thus causing suspension of energy production and making necessary the intervention of skilled personnel. These SPDs should have the following characteristics: • Type 2 • Maximum rated service voltage Ue > 1.25 Uoc • Protection level Up ≤ Uinv15 • Nominal discharge current In ≥ 5 kA • Thermal protection with the capability of estinguishing the short-circuit current at the end of life and coordina- tion with suitable back-up protection. Since the modules of the strings generally have an im- pulse withstand voltage higher than that of the inverter, the SPDs installed to protect the inverter generally allow the protection of the modules too, provided that the distance between modules and inverter is shorter thanThe overvoltages, even if limited, which may be generated 10 m16.must be discharged to ground by means of SPD (SurgeProtective Device) to protect the equipment. In fact,SPDs are devices with impedance variable according tothe voltage applied: at the rated voltage of the plant theyhave a very high impedance, whereas in the presence ofan overvoltage they reduce their impedance, deriving thecurrent associated to the overvoltage and keeping thelatter within a determined range of values. According totheir operation modalities SPDs can be divided into:• switching SPDs, such as spinterometers or controlled diodes, when the voltage exceeds a defined value, reduce instantaneously their impedance and conse- quently the voltage at their ends;• limitation SPDs, such as varistors or Zener diodes, have an impedance which decreases gradually at the increase of the voltage at their ends;• combined SPDs which comprise the two above men- tioned devices connected in series or in parallel. 15 Uinv is the impulse withstand voltage of the inverter DC side. 16 The SPD shall be installed on the supply side (direction of the energy of the PV genera- tor) of the disconnecting device of the inverter so that it protects the modules also when the disconnecting device is open. Photovoltaic plants 47

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Technical Application Papers 6.4.2.2 Protection on AC side If the risk analysis for the building prescribes the instal- A PV plant connected to the grid is subject also to the lation of an outside LPS, it is necessary to position an6 Protection against overcurrents and overvoltages overvoltages coming from the line itself. If a separation SPD for the protection against direct lightning at the transformer is present, with earthed metal shield, the power delivery point. Such SPD should have the follow- inverter is protected against the overvoltages of the trans- ing characteristics: • Type 1 former itself. If the transformer is not present or in case • Maximum rated service voltage Ue > 1.1 Uo of a transformer without shield, it is necessary to install • Protection level Up ≤ Uinv a suitable SPD immediately downstream the inverter. • Impulse current Iimp ≥ 25 kA for each pole This SPDs should have the following characteristics: • Extinction of the follow-up current Ifi exceeding the • Type 2 short-circuit current at the installation point and coor- • Maximum rated service voltage Ue > 1.1 Uo17 dination with a suitable back-up protection. • Protection level Up ≤ Uinv18 • Nominal discharge current In ≥ 5 kA The figures below show the layout of a PV plant divided • Thermal protection with the capability of estinguishing in zones from A to E and indicate the protection function the short-circuit current at the end of life and coordina- carried out by the SPD when installed in each zone. tion with suitable back-up protection. External limit of the collecting area of the lightning rod Lightning rod Equipotential bonding zone of the building masses String A + A B L1 L2 C G D – E A B C D E SPD position Function Recommendation Remarks Protection of each solar Recommended if the distance L1 exceeds The connection to the panel must be as short panel (cell+connections) 10 m or if there is a risk of inductive and straight as possible. If required by the A coupling environment, the SPD shall be installed in an A A enclosure with suitable IP degree A A Protection of the main Always recommended The connection to the equipotential bonding bar B DC line (at the entrance must be as short and straight as possible B of the building) B B B C Protection of the inverter Recommended if the distance L2 exceeds The connection to the equipotential bonding bar C input, on DC side 10 m and to the mass of the inverter on ther DC side C must be as short and straight as possible C C D D Protection of the inverter Always recommended The connection to the equipotential bonding bar D output, on AC side and to the mass of the inverter on the AC side D D must be as short and straight as possible E E E Main protection at the Always recommended The connection to the equipotential bonding bar E E delivery point of energy must be as short and straight as possible 17 Uo is the voltage to earth for TT and TN systems; in case of an IT system it is Ue > 1.73 Uo. 18 Uinv is the impulse withstand voltage of the inverter on the AC side. 48 Photovoltaic plants